Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1887-08-31

length got up and paced the room.
suddenly turning to Mr.. Browne. he
said: Comparative stranger as Won are
TO me, feel as IL must tell you the
nature of the business which is calling
me TO London so Unexpectedly. The
blow has fallen so suddenly that TO
speak OF it would be an immense re-
lief"
The stranger was all sympathetic
attention in a moment.
'Mr- Browne" continued the Major,
excitediy, this time yesterday / be-
lieved that poor girl up stairs to be the
mistress OF fairly large fortune. To-
day-if the information l received this
N n)rning Is correct-I know her to be
penniles5. And that Is not all: the
greater part, il not the whole. of my
income is lost also"
So sympathetic was Mr.. Browne that
he begged TO know all the details.
These, however, the Major was unable
to furnish; in fact he could explain
nothing satisfactorily, so great was the
state or excitement into which he had
worked himself.
"uushl' be said, as he heard Maude
approaching. mot a word to her, [
wouldn't disturb her peace OF mind for
worlds, poor girl, until 1 am certain
how the matter stands"
The next day, about an hour afte-
her uncle had left for London, Maude
received the following pencilled note
from Mr.. Browne:
MY OWN DARLING: am the most
uniucky dog that ever liyedl / passed
wretched night, and this morning /
am too i'll to leave my bed. To be dis
abled to-day, when L was to have ar
ranged for the event which is to make
me the happiest man in England. /
have sent for the village "bones," and
II he can but patch me up it may not
yet be too late Send a book back by
bearer, TO account for having received
letter from your nearly frantic
JACK.
Poor Maudel The torturing sus-
pense OF that dayl In the evening she
ventured to ask the landlady to inquire
how Alr. Browne was, mo better"
was the alarming reply.
Maude passed sleepleS5 night. In
the morning she received a second note
from her dear Jack, even more despair
ing in its tone than the former enc.
Fate is against US, he wrote; II feel
as if L shall never be able to call you
mine"
sent to inquire after her lover; and was
OveTiOyed when she heard he was much
better, and was even thinking of get
ting up, his recovery bidding fair to be
as sudden as his seizure.
That evening Major Henderson re-
turned. Hardly had he knocked at
the door, when Mr.. Browne emerged
from the opposite cottage.
what news, sIr?n asked the sympa-
thetic Mr.. Browne.
The worst possible" replied the
Major, throwing himself into an easy
chair and covering his face with his
hands. That poor girl yonder Is a
beggar, and l have but hundred a
year lett"
Maude looked from one to the other
in utter Dewlldermeut, and then cross
ing over to her uncle, trying 10 comfort
hun and gain some explanation at the
same time
Il fear this is scene for astranger
to witness" said Mr.. Browne. ''Sir.
you have my deepest sympathy, and
am sure that at the present moment i
can show il in no better way than by
Withdrawing.
Maude followed her lover to the
door. She was much distressed on her
uncle's account, but did not fully rea-
lie her own loss OF fortune.
Are you really better, dear Jack?"
she asked anxiously.
Eyes, thank you. Quite cured.
Od-bye," and he was gone"
That her lovers leaye-taking was a
little abrupt did strike AIaude; she was.
however, far too confused by the turn
affairs had taken 10 attach much I'M
portance TO the first circumstance.
When she returned TO her uncle he
seemed wonderfully better, and at sup
per he talked quite cheerfully of their
future.
Maude passed another sleepless night.
Sue did not so much mind the terrible
loss she had sustained on her own ac-
count; but she was bitterly disappointed
that she could not do all she had pro-
missed for her dear Jack. She deter
mined, however, 10 be the most loving
and economical wife possible AT all
events her uncle would not be able TO
accuse Jack of being mercenary now,
/ and there was much comfort IN that
reflection. Perhaps after all they
would be able TO have a proper we'd
ding, only OF course it would have to
| be a very quiet one. How much nicer
/ that would be than running away and
| deceiying her uncle, who had always
| been so kind to her.
When she came down to breakfast
/ the next morning she was looking pale
/ and a little worn after her two sleepless
/ nights. The Major, however, seemed
/ To have succeeded in throwing of his
/ grief IN quite a wonderful manner, and
| was in almost his usual spirits.
"Haye you heard how Mr.. Browne
Ia this mornlng?" Maude yentured tC
ask the landlady's daughter.
''Why, Miss, he paid up for the week
and went off by the mall train las'
night, declaring he was sure the place
didn't suit him.
Poor Aiaudel The blow did indeed
fall on her with crushing force.
Dear me, rather sudden! We shall
miss the old gentleman-eh, Mis-:
Maude?'' said the Major, as soon as
the uncle and niece were left together
He laid slight stress on the adjective,
and was a suspicion OF fun in his eyes.
1t was, however, no laughing matter
to Maude; she, poor girl, unable longeI
to act her paIt, burst into an uncon
trollable fit of weeping.
Poor child, poor chlldF' said th'
Major, compassionately; "it's sharl
lesson for you to learn. But 1t Is bet
ter for you to bear little pain nov
than to suffer for the remainder OF you
life, as would most probably have beer
YOUR fate if 1 had not paid that scoun
drel out in his own coin"
The threatened loss OF fortune wa
all a fabrication, Major Henderson
| I,,-;,r, gOna No nearer TO London thai
the top room in Honeysuckle Cottage